Water?

[mbz72]

Hello List

So should I change my coolant fluid before storing it through the winter? :
With Distilled OR Tab OR Drinking (bottle) water50%/50% MB coolant? Now on Destilled 50%/50% MB coolant
Thank You. Tomorrow is the last day I can do this. What is the best way of doing it with thermostat in?

Christian
--
cK
1972 280SE 4.5L

[manny]

If your current mix is only a year or two old, I would hardly worry about changing it.
You could buy a cheap Glycol tester & check it.

[mbz72]

Yes
but I am worried that I filled with distilled
water and antifreeze.

MB users say use only tab water.

cK

[manny]

Originally posted by mbz72

MB users say use only tab water.
cK

Never heard that one before.
Why would you dump tap water ( possibly with all kinds of minerals ) in your cooling system ?

[mbz72]

"MB strongly advises
that there is no application for distilled water in the car, and that
includes the windshield washer and hosing off insect remains. "

"Pure, distilled or deionized water is extremely bad for aluminum
radiators, as was detailed in an MB technical note many years ago.
Distilled water is demineralized, and it wants to be mineralized, badly.
It will take the mineral right out of your radiator, leaving holes.

Tap water is much preferred, and even better is creek water, with
particulate material filtered. There is some thought that mixing the
distilled water with antifreeze will satisfy the mineralization content,
but that is only a thought, and it may depend on the level of impurity
of the antifreeze, which could be highly variable. MB strongly advises
that there is no application for distilled water in the car, and that
includes the windshield washer and hosing off insect remains."

cK

[Duke2.6]

Using distilled water with antifreeze is CORRECT! The WORST coolant you could use is pure distilled water, and this is probably where the "no disitlled water" myth comes from.

By using distilled water with antifreeze you minimize the dissolved mineral content that is added to the cooling system.

As long as the coolant doesn't reach the MB recommended 3-year expiration and the antifreeze is either MB brand, Zerex G-05, or Dexcool, it's okay to leave it in during storage.

Duke

[mbz72]

But I have a aluminum radiator so:
"Pure, distilled or deionized water is extremely bad for aluminum
radiators, as was detailed in an MB technical note many years ago.
Distilled water is demineralized, and it wants to be mineralized, badly.
It will take the mineral right out of your radiator, leaving holes.

[manny]

You are NOT listening to what Duke2.6 is trying to tell you.
The Key word is MIX vs. STRAIGHT.

[mbz72]

I can not listen I only can read.

So please read this: MB strongly advises
that there is no application or mixing for distilled water in the car.

cK

[haasman]

Except batteries?

Haasman

[Kestas]

Calcium, found in tap water, is known to be a mild poison in automotive cooling systems.